Labrador + Cali ocean bed

[tweedie]

Thinking of getting a cali ocean (T5 version), and I have a rather old, well loved, spoilt labrador who likes to sleep with us so sleeping in the awings is out of question and probably sleeping on the front chair is also out too (i told you we spoil her!). She is an old heavy girl (so picking her up isn't great) and she needs bit of running space to jump onto the bed. She also likes to jump off the bed to the floor is she gets hot in the night.

Now, I am starting to question whether she will have enough room to get on/off the bed herself in the middle of the night. I am lead to believe that the gap between the bed and the front seat is 19 inches which doesn't sound a lot so I am wondering if anyone else with a similar sized dog (large medium size) had that issue and managed to overcome it?

 

[Spunyarn]

I’ve had my T5.1 Cali for precisely 2 days so there’s a lot of people here who will be able to give you far better advice than me, but in the interest of trying to contribute I will tell you what I’ve noticed in my short ownership.

I have a yellow lab and yesterday I had him in the footwell between the seats and the downstairs bed just to see what it’s like for size. He can basically stand in the floor space and can lie down but it’s too narrow to curl up so he just lies straight. About 19inches sound about right but I’ve not measured. This is with the front seats reclined and facing backwards. There may be a tad more room for him with them tilted facing forward and tilted fully forward.

My first impressions when it comes to sleeping options are that it should be okay for him but I suspect not super comfortable and he might be restless in the night due to limited space. I did see the passenger footwell looked pretty cavernous so if I can get him to go between the two seats and squeeze himself in, it might make a nice little den for him to lie on the carpet there.

Another option is of course the bed, and if you are by yourself then plenty enough room for a person and a dog on the downstairs bed. If there’s 2 of you then one or both of you could sleep upstairs and leave the downstairs bed all for the dog!

Final thing I’ve considered is using the front seats (armrests folded up) as a platform to put a peice of wood and a dog bed. It wouldn’t be very deep but would probably make a nice long sleeping platform for the dog. But it does mean you’d lose your seats! And carrying a peice of wood or whatever to bridge the gap would also be very faffy.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

If you got a beach the bed would be a kingsize and there is plenty of room for everyone

 

[tweedie]

I’ve had my T5.1 Cali for precisely 2 days so there’s a lot of people here who will be able to give you far better advice than me, but in the interest of trying to contribute I will tell you what I’ve noticed in my short ownership.

I have a yellow lab and yesterday I had him in the footwell between the seats and the downstairs bed just to see what it’s like for size. He can basically stand in the floor space and can lie down but it’s too narrow to curl up so he just lies straight. About 19inches sound about right but I’ve not measured. This is with the front seats reclined and facing backwards. There may be a tad more room for him with them tilted facing forward and tilted fully forward.

My first impressions when it comes to sleeping options are that it should be okay for him but I suspect not super comfortable and he might be restless in the night due to limited space. I did see the passenger footwell looked pretty cavernous so if I can get him to go between the two seats and squeeze himself in, it might make a nice little den for him to lie on the carpet there.

Another option is of course the bed, and if you are by yourself then plenty enough room for a person and a dog on the downstairs bed. If there’s 2 of you then one or both of you could sleep upstairs and leave the downstairs bed all for the dog!

Final thing I’ve considered is using the front seats (armrests folded up) as a platform to put a peice of wood and a dog bed. It wouldn’t be very deep but would probably make a nice long sleeping platform for the dog. But it does mean you’d lose your seats! And carrying a peice of wood or whatever to bridge the gap would also be very faffy.

Much appreciated for your detailed response. Gives me food for thought!

 

[tweedie]

If you got a beach the bed would be a kingsize and there is plenty of room for everyone

Unfortunately one of the requirements was to be able to cook inside or have a brew

 

[Baldrick]

We (alongside others on here) have shortened the parcel shelf. I’m 5’11” and it’s still amply long enough for me still. This should give your dog a bit more room on the floor. Some sort of corner step might help him on / off. We have a couple of flat pack metal ones (VonHaus fold up step) for the step down from the Van, perhaps that might work.
If it’s cold and you have the internal heater on, a piece of cardboard to deflect the heat from the floor might be really welcomed by your furry fella.
That said, I slept upstairs whilst in Scotland last week with our Retriever on her “business class flat bed” downstairs. She woke me up barking right at the heater and would only shut up when I turned it on - it touched subzero overnight and she clearly wanted her creature comforts!
They absolutely love it and will I’m sure have you wrapped around their paw until things are just right.. Two people and a medium sized dog may be cozy. A piece of hinged board over the reversed front seats with some padding might offer an option for the middle of the night. If it ends up that you take turns upstairs if it’s just too cozy for all three of you, that’s another option.
Best of luck in whatever you choose.